Systems and methods for managing digital subscriber line (DSL) telecommunications connections

ABSTRACT

Telecommunications systems are provided which include telecommunications equipment, multi-pair connectors and cables, and management devices for grooming the conductors of the connectors and cables for efficient use of the conductor pairs between equipment. A further management device provides cross-connect fields for the conductor pairs of the system. A chassis may house the grooming device, any cross-connect device, and possibly a POTS splitter device. The grooming and cross-connects may be manually controlled, or electronically controlled, including locally or remotely.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] Telecommunications systems are known which use cables containingbundles of twisted pairs of conductors for transmitting signals betweenlocations for voice only signals, data only signals, and combined voiceand data signals. In these systems, some of the telecommunicationsequipment for processing and transmitting the signals through the cablesis configured for connection to cable connectors with multiple pairs ofconnectors, e.g. 25 pair Telco or Amp connectors. The connectors andcables provide links between the various pieces of telecommunicationsequipment in a twisted pair telephone system. In a telephone carriersystem servicing residences and/or businesses, the system may include anMDF (Main Distribution Frame), a POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service)splitter for separating voice and data signals, and a DSLAM (DigitalSubscriber Line Access Multiplexer). Such a system may employ a DSL(Digital Subscriber Line) communications protocol. Use of the connectorsand cables is known where at least some of the conductor pairs are notused to carry signals. As systems grow in size, space constraints are aconcern, such as for a telephone service carrier's MDF. A furtherconcern includes the ease of access to the telecommunications equipmentand connections for making changes and upgrades.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention includes telecommunications equipment andsystems for connection management. The equipment and systems are usablefor DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) signals. One aspect of the inventionrelates to grooming of cables and connectors to utilize more conductorpairs of multi-pair connectors and cables, such as at an MDF (MainDistribution Frame).

[0003] A further aspect of the invention relates to providingcross-connect fields to permit changes and adaptability for theconnector grooming device. A still further aspect relates to providing aPOTS (Plain Old Telephone Service) splitter internal to a devicecontaining a grooming device, and also optionally a cross-connectdevice. The equipment and systems are adapted for use with data signals,voice signals and combined voice and data signals, such as between anMDF, a POTS splitter and a DSLAM (Digital Subscriber Line AccessMultiplexer). The cables and connectors can be groomed, and optionallycross-connected, as desired to suit the needs of the signal transmissionsystem.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004]FIG. 1 is a diagram of an example of a known telecommunicationssystem including an MDF, a POTS splitter, and a plurality of DSLAMs,illustrating use of known connectors of the 25 pair type where only fourpairs are utilized per connector;

[0005]FIGS. 1A and 1B are front and side views of an exemplary 25 paircable connector used in the system of FIG. 1;

[0006]FIG. 2 is a diagram showing active connections between an MDF andindividual DSLAM cards, where only four pairs of the conductors for eachconnector are used for signal transmission, as used in known systems;

[0007]FIG. 3 is a diagram showing grooming of the conductor pairs formore efficient use of the MDF connectors in accordance with the presentinvention;

[0008]FIG. 4 is a diagram of a telecommunications system embodiment ofthe present invention including an MDF, a POTS splitter device, andseveral DSLAM modules, and further showing a grooming facility forgrooming the conductor pairs for the DSLAM connections with the MDF;

[0009]FIG. 5 is a diagram of a further telecommunications systemembodiment of the present invention showing a combined grooming andcross-connect facility;

[0010]FIG. 6 is a diagram of a further telecommunications systemembodiment of the present invention showing a POTS splitter devicecombined with the grooming and cross-connect facility;

[0011]FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the signal paths in one implementationof a telecommunications system for transmitting an ADSL (AsymmetricDigital Subscriber Line) signal in the system including an MDF, a POTSsplitter device, and a DSLAM;

[0012]FIG. 8 is a diagram of a further telecommunications systemembodiment including the features shown in the system of FIG. 6, andfurther including access jacks and a co-location cage;

[0013]FIG. 9 shows the system of FIG. 6 in greater detail with differentsignal types transmitted through the system, and showing thecross-connections for different signal types;

[0014]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of one embodiment of atelecommunications equipment including a grooming panel and across-connect panel;

[0015]FIG. 11 shows the equipment of FIG. 10, with a front door pivotedopen exposing the grooming panel;

[0016]FIG. 12 is a side view of the equipment of FIG. 10;

[0017]FIG. 13 is a front view of the equipment of FIG. 10;

[0018]FIG. 14 is a front view of the equipment of FIG. 11;

[0019]FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of atelecommunications equipment, including a grooming panel, across-connect panel, and POTS splitter devices internal to the chassis;

[0020]FIG. 16 is a top view of the equipment of FIG. 15, showinginternal features;

[0021]FIG. 17 is a side view of the equipment of FIG. 15, showinginternal features;

[0022]FIG. 18 is a front view of the equipment of FIG. 15;

[0023]FIG. 19 is a front view of the equipment of FIG. 15, with thefront door removed, exposing the grooming panel and the splitter cards;

[0024]FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of atelecommunications equipment including a grooming panel and a POTSsplitter device;

[0025]FIG. 21 is a top view of the equipment of FIG. 20, showinginternal features;

[0026]FIG. 22 is a side view of the equipment of FIG. 20 showinginternal features;

[0027]FIG. 23 is a front view of the equipment of FIG. 20;

[0028]FIG. 24 is an illustration showing various components of atelecommunications system in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention;

[0029]FIG. 25 is an illustration showing various components of atelecommunications system which incorporates electronic cross-connect,grooming, and POTS splitting capabilities in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

[0030]FIG. 26 is a flow diagram showing several steps involved inremotely establishing or modifying a customer's xDSL service inaccordance with the principles of the present invention;

[0031]FIG. 27 is an illustration of a POTS splitter and its outputs inresponse to receiving an ADSL signal at its input;

[0032]FIG. 28 is a block diagram of the POTS splitter of FIG. 27 shownin greater detail;

[0033]FIG. 29 is a block diagram of a telecommunications unit whichincludes electronic cross-connect, grooming, and POTS splittercapabilities according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] FIGS. 30-33 illustrate various embodiments of a remotecontrollable electronic cross-connect switching matrix in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention;

[0035]FIG. 34 is an illustration of a cross-connect switching matrix inwhich the matrix is partitioned into regions each associated withparticular switching functions or characteristics;

[0036]FIG. 35 is an illustration of an ADSL system deployment as betweena central office and a customer's home or business;

[0037]FIG. 36 is a block diagram of a system that provides one or moreof a remote test access, cross-connect, grooming, and/or POTS splittingcapability;

[0038]FIG. 37 illustrates an xDSL system implementation which providesfor line qualification testing of selected customer lines; and

[0039]FIG. 38 illustrates a circuit implementation for remotely testinga selected customer line in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

[0040] While the invention is amenable to various modifications andalternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of examplein the drawings and will be described in detail hereinbelow. It is to beunderstood, however, that the intention is not to limit the invention tothe particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the invention isintended to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternativesfalling within the scope of the invention as defined by the appendedclaims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0041] In the following description of illustrative embodiments,references are made to the accompanying drawings which form a parthereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration, variousembodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is to beunderstood that other embodiments may be utilized, and structural andfunctional changes may be made without departing from the scope of thepresent invention.

[0042] Referring now to FIG. 1, a telecommunications system 10 is shownincluding a known arrangement of equipment, cable or lines, andconnectors for transmitting signals, such as in a twisted pair telephonesystem. System 10 is representative of a telephone carrier's system fortransmitting voice and data to residences and businesses. A maindistribution frame (MDF) 12 is linked to outside plant copper loops 14.MDF 12 has links to a POTS splitter device 16 and one or more DSLAMcards or modules 18. MDF 12, POTS splitter device 16, and DSLAMs 18include connectors 20 having pairs of conductors for connecting to pairsof conductors of a reciprocal connector on an end of a cable 22. Anexample of connectors 20 shown in FIG. 1 are 25 pair connectors, such asTelco or AMP connectors, for use with a 25 pair cable 22 (containing 50wire conductors). In use of system 10, POTS splitter device 16 receivesvoice and data signals from MDF 12, and passes the data signals throughto DSLAM 18. The voice signals are passed from POTS splitter device 16to MDF 12 for transmission to a voice switch 24.

[0043]FIGS. 1A and 1B show one 25 pair connector 20 known in the art.End 26 connects each conductor pair 28 to a conductor pair of a matingconnector mounted to the end of the multi-pair cable 22. End 30 providesthe conductor pairs 28 on an opposite side of the connector 20 forconnection to conductor pairs of cables, wires, or equipment.

[0044] For system 10 shown in FIG. 1 including connectors 20, and cablesor lines 22, especially between MDF 12 and POTS splitter device 16, itis known to have a majority of the pairs of conductors in the connectors20 and the corresponding wires in cables 22 unused. As shown in FIG. 1,only 4 of the 25 pairs of conductors are used. Other conventionalsystems which do not require POTS splitter device 16 also experienceinefficient use of cables and connectors between MDF 12 and DSLAMs 18.FIG. 2 illustrates the use of 25 pair connectors 20 a-f including 25pairs of conductors 28. FIG. 2 further illustrates the used or activeconductor pairs 31 and the unused or inactive conductor pairs 32 of thecables 22 between connectors 20 a-c of MDF 12 and connectors 20 d-f ofDSLAMs 18. The illustrated DSLAMs 18 are the type with 4 signal pairsper card or module. Other DSLAM types are useable including 8/25 or12/25 or greater. Such a system allows for usage of known cable typesand connector types including the exemplary 25 pair connector 20 shownin FIGS. 1A and 1B. Further, as improvements or changes in systemcomponents are made over time (e.g. changing from 4/25 to 8/25 DSLAMcards), increases in the number of used pairs can be made withoutchanging connector or cable types. However, the systems all have unusedconductor pairs in the connectors. Increased utilization of theconductor pairs in the system of FIG. 1 is possible by grooming theconductor pairs to use more of the unused pairs. This greatly reducesthe number of cables and connectors at MDF 12.

[0045] Referring now to FIG. 3, grooming is shown in greater detailwhere conductor pairs of multiple connectors 20 d-f of DSLAMs 18 arecombined into one connector 20 a of MDF 12. This results in moreconductor pairs 28 of connector 20 a being used than in the ungroomedarrangement of FIG. 2. Less connectors 20 are needed for MDF 12 in FIG.3 over FIG. 2.

[0046] Referring now to FIG. 4, a system 100 has a grooming facility 60incorporating the grooming of FIG. 3 for grooming the lines 22 fromDSLAMs 18 while allowing efficient use of connectors 20 on MDF 12 andPOTS splitter device 16. FIG. 4 shows increased use of the conductorpairs to MDF 12 and to POTS splitter device 16 from grooming facility60. Referring now to FIGS. 10-14, a first embodiment of equipment 200 isshown for performing the grooming functions at grooming facility 60 ofFIG. 4. Equipment 200 includes a grooming field 202 for use in groomingcables, ′such as between DSLAMs like DSLAMs 18, and MDF 12. In agrooming only situation, a cross-connect panel 252 (described below) isnot necessary. Grooming field 202 includes a panel 203 including aplurality of multi-pair connectors 204 mounted to panel 203. Anexemplary connector type is shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B. A first array 206of connectors 204 may have connections to DSLAMs 18 or POTS splitterdevice 16. A second array 208 of connectors 204 connects to MDF 12and/or POTS splitter device 16. On a front side 210 of grooming panel203 resides all of the cables and connectors to the equipment (MDF, POTSsplitter device and DSLAMs). A back side 212 of grooming panel 203 wouldcontain all necessary conductive links, such as conductive wires,cables, or other links, linking the various conductor pairs betweenconnectors 204, so as to achieve grooming, as illustrated in FIG. 3, forthe used contacts. For example, a plurality of connectors 204 from firstarray 206 will have the used contacts wired to a reduced number ofconnectors 204 of second array 208, thereby using more conductor pairsof each connector 204 in second array 208, as well as using more of therespective conductor pairs in the cable 22 connecting to the MDF, and tothe POTS splitter. As a more specific example, several connectors 204from first array 206 are connected to DSLAMs 18, and the reduced numberof connectors 204 in second array 208 are connected to MDF 12.

[0047] In the embodiment just described, the grooming connectionsbetween the arrays 206, 208 of connectors 204 would be on the back side212 of grooming panel 202. These connections are housed within chassis270 behind panel 203 and rear 272. If desired, a cross-connect field 250can be added for adaptability and ease of changeability for theconnections between the arrays of connectors. Adaptable and changeablegrooming can occur at cross-connect field 250. In FIG. 5, a system 102has a combined grooming and cross-connect facility 62 which more readilyallows for changes and customization to the connections between thearrays of connectors. In the equipment 200 of FIGS. 10-14, cross-connectpanel 252 includes a plurality of connectors 251, each including a frontconnector location 254 linked to a rear connector location 256.Conductive links, such as conductive wires, link the rear conductorpairs of each connector 204 to the conductor pairs defined by rearconnector locations 256. In use of the cross-connect features, equipment200 of FIGS. 10-14 preferably includes a one-to-one correspondencebetween the rear of connectors 204 at back side 212 to rear connectorlocations 256. Front connector locations 254 can be cross-connected toeach other to complete, and groom, the circuit as desired with linkingor patch conductors or cables. Field 250 defines arrays 260, 262corresponding to arrays 206, 208 for connector panel 203.

[0048] For equipment 200, front and rear connector locations 254, 256can be any desired connector type. Some examples include insulationdisplacement connectors (IDC), and wire wrap termination pins. Oneexample connector is shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,624,521, thedisclosure of which is incorporated by reference. Also, connector jackscan be used, such as DS1 jacks including ports for receiving plugs ofpatch cables. Also, if jacks are used, monitor ports can also beprovided, as desired.

[0049] Referring again to FIGS. 10-14, cross-connect panel 252 ispreferably hinged relative to chassis 270 at hinge 268. This allows useraccess to the cable connections at connectors 204 at front side 210.Grooming panel 202 is positioned behind cross-connect panel 252, both ofwhich are accessed at the same side (front) by a user. Alternatively,cross-connect panel 252 can be positioned adjacent to rear 272 ofchassis 270, facing in the opposite direction. In equipment 200, accessopenings 274 in sides 276 allow for the cables from the other equipmentto enter chassis 270 for connection to connectors 204 at front side 210.Since grooming panel 202 and cross-connect panel 252 face in the samedirection in the illustrated embodiment, further openings 280 areprovided in chassis 270 for the one-to-one contact conductors to linkfrom rear 212 of grooming panel 202 to rear connector locations 256. Ifdesired, cross-connect panel 252 and grooming panel 202 can be reversedsuch that cross-connect panel 252 is within chassis 270. Also, panels252, 202 may be mounted in separate racks or chassis if desired. Cablemanagement clips 282 are positioned on cross-connect panel 252 to assistwith management of the patch cables.

[0050] Referring now to FIG. 6, a grooming function is combined withboth a cross-connect function and a POTS splitter device for facility 64in system 104. Facility 64 of FIG. 6 is an integrated system for thegrooming and cross-connect functions noted above. Also, efficienciesresult by further combining the POTS splitter function with grooming andcross-connect. Referring now to FIGS. 15-19, a further embodiment oftelecommunications equipment 300 is shown for performing the functionsof facility 64. Equipment 300 includes a grooming panel 302, across-connect panel 352, and a POTS splitter device 360 including aplurality of splitter cards 366. An exemplary POTS splitter signal pathis shown in FIG. 7. A low pass filter 370 filters the voice signal fromthe voice and data line 372. Data line 374 transmits the data portion ofthe signal to DSLAM 18. The voice portion of the signal is returned toMDF 12 by voice line 376.

[0051] In equipment 300, the appropriate number of low pass filters 370are housed in splitter cards 366. Panels 302, 352 are constructed tofunction in a similar manner to panels 203, 252 described above.Grooming panel 302 includes a first array 303 of connectors 304 and asecond array 305 of connectors 306. Panel 302 includes a first section308 for array 303 and a second section 309 for array 305. First section308 is located on an exterior of chassis 378, and second section 309 islocated within chassis 378. Connectors 306 connect to DSLAMs 18, such aswith 25 pair connectors. First connectors 304 connect to MDF 12, and maybe 25 pair or other connectors, such as 32 pair connectors.Cross-connect panel 352 includes connectors 351, each including a frontconnector location 354 and a rear connector location 356. From the rearof each of connectors 304, 306, conductors connect to rear connectorlocations 356 in a one-to-one manner to form cross-connect panel 352.The conductors from the rear of each connector 304 may connect to thelow pass filters 370 for the POTS splitter function for voice and datasignals before connecting to cross-connect panel 352. Front panel 352 ishinged to chassis 378 in a like manner as equipment 200 or is otherwiseremovable to access the interior of chassis 378 for connectors 306.Connectors 351 define a cross-connect field 350 with arrays 313 and 315linked in a one-to-one manner with connectors 304, 306. In one example,connectors 304 are connected to MDF 12 on the fronts and the rears areconnected to array 313 and splitter cards 366. In the same example,connectors 306 form DSLAM connectors 306 on the fronts and are connectedon the rears to array 315. For voice only signals from splitter cards366, there is a conductive link to an MDF connector 304 for transmissionof the voice only signals back to MDF 12. For example, 4 connectors 304of sub-array 303′ are linked to backplane 380 and then to splitter cards366, and from splitter cards 366 to backplane 380. For the data signals,connections are then made to cross-connect array 313 forcross-connection to array 315. For the voice signals, connections areinstead made to the other four connectors 304 of sub-array 303″ fortransmission back to MDF 12. The connections to and from backplane 380including circuit paths thereon can be by cable, such as ribbon cable.If desired, additional connectors 351 can be added for the conductivelinks to and from splitter cards 366, for additional flexibility of thesystem circuitry. With the additional connectors 351, the variouscomponents including the low pass filters can be cross connectedtogether.

[0052] In the systems of FIGS. 4 and 5, POTS splitter device 16 islinked through multi-pair cable and connectors to DSLAM 18. Throughgrooming as noted above, more efficient use of the cables and connectorsof MDF 12 and POTS splitter device 16 is possible. By including a POTSsplitter feature internal to equipment 300, a further savings of space,and multi-pair cables and connectors is possible. Referring now to FIG.9, equipment 300 is shown in schematic form with connectors 306 from afirst array 305 linked to DSLAMs 18. Connectors 304 from first array 303are linked to MDF 12. The one-to-one connections link to first andsecond arrays 313, 315 of connectors 351 of cross-connect panel 352.Patch cables 390 link connectors 351 to DSLAMs 18 and to the low passfilters 370 of the internal POTS splitter feature. FIG. 9 also shows adirect pass of the data only signals to DSLAMs 18.

[0053] Referring now to FIGS. 20-23, a further embodiment of equipment300 a is shown without a cross-connect panel 352 as in equipment 300.Equipment 300 a includes first and second arrays 303 a, 305 a ofconnectors 304. In the example shown, connectors 304 are of the same 25pin type as noted above. Array 303 a connects to MDF 12, and array 305 aconnects to DSLAMs 18. From the rear of each connectors 304 in sub-array303 a′, connections are made to the low pass filters 370 a for splittercards 366 a. Splitter cards 366 a are preferably slideably mounted tochassis 378 a for accessibility in making connections to connectors 304of sub-array 303 a′. For the voice signals from low pass filters 370 a,connections are also made to the rear of connectors 304 of sub-array 303a″. For the data signals from sub-array 303 a, connections are made tothe rear of each respective DSLAM connector 304 of second array 305 a.These connections are groomed within chassis 378 a as noted above forthe discussion of FIG. 3 for efficient use of the MDF connectors 304 offirst array 303 a.

[0054] In FIGS. 20-23, equipment 300 a includes a chassis 378 a with twoDSLAM sub-systems 380 a, 380 b of connectors 304 and splitter cards 366a. Each sub-system 380 a, 380 b includes its own backplane 381 a, 381 b.As shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, the backplanes 381 a, 381 b with circuitpaths thereon are staggered in parallel planes, allowing overlap. Thisresults in a space savings relative to a non-overlapping design. Chassis378 a includes a hinged front panel 385.

[0055] The POTS splitter circuits noted above may also operate toseparate low frequency data signals, such as ISDN (Integrated ServicesDigital Network) signals, from high frequency data signals. Such usewill be described in greater detail below.

[0056] Referring now to FIG. 8, access jacks 400 are provided to monitorsignals associated with facility 64. FIG. 8 also shows a co-locationcage 500. As will be discussed in greater detail hereinbelow, theco-location cage 500 represents a partitioned section of an IncumbentLocal Exchange Carrier's (ILEC) central office in which equipment ownedand operated by a Competitive Local Exchange Carrier (CLEC) is located.The term ILEC refers to a primary existing central office carrier, asdistinguished from a new competitive carrier (CLEC) that came intoexistence after federal deregulation of the telecommunications industry.Co-location cage 500 includes a CLEC's DSLAMs 506, line qualificationtester 508, and may further include a number of POTS splitter devices510. Co-location panels 502, 504 provide a termination location forestablishing electrical connectivity between ILEC and CLEC equipment.

[0057] Within the context of the embodiment depicted in FIG. 8,telecommunications unit 64, which incorporates a test access capabilityvia access jacks 400, represents a demarcation location or apparatusthat defines a physical point of separation between the equipmentowned/managed by the ILEC and that owned/managed by the CLEC. Directaccess to each of the lines passing between the ILEC and CLEC equipmentpermits each entity the opportunity to monitor individual lines and todetermine the location and responsibility of a given problem, should onearise. The structure and functionality of the access jacks 400 andelectrical plugs which are received by the jacks 400 are known in theart. Alternatively, the electronic cross-connect facility oftelecommunications unit 64, which is described in detail hereinbelow,may be controlled to connect a monitoring bus to a particular customer'sline, which effectively emulates the mechanical jack/plug mechanism thatprovides for monitoring of selected customer lines.

[0058] In addition to the many advantages that are realizable throughemployment of the grooming, cross-connecting, and POTS splittingapparatus embodiments discussed above, a number of electroniccapabilities may be incorporated that enhance, augment, emulate, and/orreplace various mechanical aspects of the above-described apparatusembodiments. In accordance with the embodiment shown in FIG. 24, forexample, the manual grooming, cross-connecting, POTS splitting, andmonitoring capabilities previously described hereinabove may be enhancedby the addition of an electronic cross-connect facility 1004, andfurther enhanced by incorporation of a loop qualification tester 1005 orother type of line tester.

[0059] The telecommunications unit 1000 depicted in FIG. 24 is shown toinclude a POTS splitter device 1001, a manual grooming facility 1002,and a manual cross-connect facility 1003. According to one embodiment ofthe present invention, which may be regarded as a hybrid embodiment, thetelecommunications unit 1000 may, in addition to the manualcross-connect facility 1003, further include an electronic cross-connectfacility 1004. Incorporation of the electronic cross-connect facility1004 in telecommunications unit 1000 provides technicians the ability tolocally or remotely establish cross-connections electronically, and maywholly eliminate the need to manually establish such connections viahardwired or patch connections. Inclusion of a manual cross-connectfacility 1003, however, may enhance the ability to establishcross-connections under certain circumstances, such as during poweroutages or under circumstances in which the ability to electronicallyeffect such cross-connections is limited.

[0060] Alternatively, and as depicted in FIG. 25, telecommunicationsunit 1010 may be implemented to include capabilities for performing allgrooming, cross-connecting, and POTS splitting functions electronically.According to this embodiment, the manual grooming and cross-connectfacilities 1002, 1003 would not be needed and, as such, may be excludedfrom the unit 1010. Employment of an electronic cross-connect facility1004 in telecommunications unit 1000 provides the ability to perform allgrooming, cross-connecting, and POTS splitting functions electronicallyand, in one embodiment, from a host processor located remotely fromtelecommunications unit 1000. It will be understood that electroniccontrol of telecommunications unit 1000 may also be effected by use of ahost processor situated proximate telecommunications unit 1000 throughuse of an appropriate communication interface.

[0061] As stated above, a significant advantage realized throughemployment of a telecommunications unit 1000 provided with an electroniccross-connect facility 1004 concerns the ability to perform allcross-connection, grooming, and POTS splitting functions electronicallyfrom a location remote from the central office. This capability isparticularly important in light of recent federal mandates in the UnitedStates the define the relationship between incumbent carries andnon-incumbent “competitive” carries. It will be appreciated that theadvantages associated with employment of an electronic cross-connectfacility 1004 according to the present are equally realizable in thecontext of telecommunications systems not impacted by such federalmandates, such as those situated outside of the United States.

[0062] Recent rulings promulgated by the Federal CommunicationsCommission (FCC) and U.S. Congress have clarified the relationship andobligations between Incumbent Local Exchange Carriers (ILECs) andCompetitive Local Exchange Carriers (CLECs). A recent FCC Order directedto “line sharing” requires that ILECs must provide unbundled access tothe high frequency bandwidth (e.g., data band) of the local loop to anyCLEC that seeks to deploy any version of xDSL which is presumed to beacceptable for shared line deployment in accordance with the rulesadopted in the Order. In short, an ILEC must provide physical space inits central office, such as the co-location cage depicted in FIG. 8, toa CLEC, and must also provide access to the ILEC's main distributionframe. From the consumer's perspective, the federally mandatedinterrelationship between ILECs and CLECs has provided the consumer witha wide variety of telecommunication service options, including, inparticular, ADSL, IDSL (Internet DSL), SDSL (Symmetric DSL), and VDSL(Very high speed DSL) services.

[0063] A CLEC technician, for example, may access the telecommunicationsunit 1010 shown in FIG. 25 remotely to perform a variety of tasks,without ever having to gain admittance to the CLEC's co-location cageestablished in the ILEC's central office. The CLEC technician mayimplement a customer's change of service request from, for example, anIDSL service to an ADSL service entirely remotely.

[0064] In accordance with one example of the above-described procedures,a software program running on a host processor remote from the ILEC'scentral office provides the CLEC technician with the ability to effectnecessary cross-connections by electronically controlling across-connect field or matrix provided in the electronic cross-connectfacility 1004 shown generally in FIG. 24. In order to provide thecustomer with a requested ADSL service, for example, the customer's linewould be electronically switched from the customer's existing IDSL DSLAMconnection (e.g., a data only connection) to an ADSL DSLAM connection(e.g., a single mixed data/voice connection), for purposes of handlingdigital data transmissions to and from the customer's location, and alsoto a POTS splitter facility 1001, for purposes of handling voice signaltransmissions to and from the customer's location.

[0065] In addition to electronic cross-connect switching that occurs toprovide the customer's requested change of service, the electroniccross-connect facility 1004 may be remotely controlled to perform anygrooming that would assist in reducing the number of non-activeconnections which would otherwise be sent to the main distribution frameusing a conventional connection approach, as was previously discussedhereinabove. Also, prior to providing ADSL service to the customer, theelectronic cross-connect facility 1003 may be remotely controlled toswitch the customer's line to a loop qualification tester 1005 or othertype of tester to evaluate the suitability of the customer's line forsupporting an ADSL service.

[0066]FIG. 26 illustrates in flow diagram form several steps involvingthe establishing of cross-connections remotely in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention. A CLEC may receive 810 an xDSLservice request for a particular customer who requires access to thetelecommunications unit 1010 (see, e.g., FIG. 25) situated in the CLEC'sco-location cage at the ILEC's central office. The CLEC technicianremotely determines 812 the status and characteristics of the customer'scurrent loop connection, such as the customer's current xDSL service(s)and DSLAM connection configuration.

[0067] Depending on the nature of the service request, the CLECtechnician determines the xDSL service parameters needed to establishthe xDSL connection and/or determines the extent to which applicablexDSL service parameters require adjustment 818. For example, if a DSLAMconnection change is required, the CLEC technician interacts with theconfiguration software operating on the CLEC's host processor toelectronically establish or modify the necessary cross-connections todisconnect the customer's line from the current DSLAM and to connect thecustomer's line to a new DSLAM. The CLEC technician may then make thenecessary adjustments 818 to the xDSL connection/service parameters tosatisfy the customer's xDSL service request.

[0068] When establishing or making a change of service that affects thecustomer's connection, it may be desired or required to perform certaintests to determine the suitability of the customer's line for supportingparticular telecommunication services. If, for example, a loopqualification test is to be performed 822, then the CLEC technician mayremotely conduct the necessary tests that qualify or disqualify thecustomer's line for purposes of supporting a particular xDSL service.Establishing the necessary connections between the tester/tester cardand the customer's line may be accomplished remotely by the CLECtechnician.

[0069] In one embodiment, a test bus distinct from the cross-connectrelay matrices is controlled to connect a given tester to a particularcustomer's line. In an alternative embodiment, the cross-connect relaymatrices are used to controllably connect a given tester to a particularcustomer's line. A loop qualification test or other type of line test isinitiated 824 remotely by the CLEC technician. If the loop test issuccessful 826, confirmation of same and of a successful change ofservice is reported 830 to the remote host processor. If the loop testis unsuccessful, remote troubleshooting may be initiated 828 and/or atechnician may be dispatched to the central office to conduct an on-siteevaluation of the telecommunications unit 1010.

[0070] By way of example, the cross-connect relay matrices may be usedto controllably establish connections, including short-circuitconnections, and decouple connections for purposes of conductingtroubleshooting and diagnostic analysis. For example, a cross-connectrelay matrix may be controlled to disconnect a customer's DSLAMconnection to isolate the customer's voice connection or to disconnectthe POTS splitter from the customer's composite (e.g., ADSL) data signalpath. By way of further example, a connection between a composite signalinput and a DSLAM signal output may be established so as to bypass aPOTS splitter.

[0071] A short-circuit may be established using a cross-connect relaymatrix to short-circuit composite data signal Tip and Ring conductors orto short-circuit the POTS splitter output signal Tip and Ringconductors, for example. A cross-connect relay matrix may further beused to connect a composite signal line to a tester for loopqualification testing, as previously discussed above. It will beappreciated that a significantly enhanced cross-connection capability isrealized for establishing connections between communication lines andvarious types of equipment by employment of an electroniccross-connection methodology of the present invention.

[0072] According to the embodiment depicted in FIG. 25,telecommunications unit 1010 includes an electronic cross-connectfacility provided by a number of cross-connect matrix cards or modules1015. Each cross-connect matrix card 1015 includes one or more switchingmatrices or fields which are controlled by a central processing unit(CPU) 1016 provided in telecommunications unit 1010. A communicationscard (not shown) is also incorporated as part of telecommunications unit1010 to provide communication connectivity with a local or remote hostprocessor via an appropriate interface or network connection.Telecommunications unit 1010 includes one or more backplanes to providefor the requisite interconnection of signal and power lines.

[0073] Also provided in telecommunications unit 1010 are a number ofPOTS splitter cards or modules 1012. As is best shown in FIGS. 27 and28, each POTS splitter card 1012 typically includes a number of filterswhich are used to low pass filter a mixed or composite voice/data signalfor purposes of passing the relatively lower frequency voice content ofthe composite signal and rejecting the relatively high frequency datacontent of the mixed or composite signal.

[0074] By way of example, it is assumed that the composite signalcommunicated to one of a number of POTS splitter circuits 1020 providedon POTS splitter card 1012 conforms to an ASDL standard. An ASDL signalis applied to an input 1022 of the POTS splitter circuit 1020 and isreceived by a low-pass filter 1025. The low-pass filter 1025 passescomposite signal content associated with the voice band (e.g., less thanabout 4 kHz) and rejects composite signal content above the voice band,such as frequencies associated with the data band (e.g., about 30 kHzand above). The composite signal is also communicated to a data output1024 which may or may not include a high-pass filter (not shown). It isassumed that the DSLAM or other digital multiplexer that receives thecomposite signal from the data output 1024 of the POTS splitter circuit1020 provides any required high-pass filter elements to remove therelatively low-frequency voice signal content from the composite signal.

[0075] As is shown in FIGS. 27 and 28, the POTS splitter circuit 1020may also operate to separate low frequency data signals, such as ISDN(Integrated Services Digital Network) signals, from high frequency datasignals. According to an embodiment in which telecommunications unit1000 (FIG. 24) or 1010 (FIG. 25) provides for cross-connection and/orgrooming of high and low frequency data connections, exclusive of or inaddition to voice band connections, the POTS splitter circuit 1020 shownin FIG. 27 would instead be representative of an ISDN filter circuit. Inthis case, the low-pass filter 1025 shown in FIG. 28 is replaced with anISDN filter.

[0076] In accordance with this embodiment, a filtered ISDN signalprovided at low frequency data output 1026 is transmitted to a voiceswitch equipped with ISDN interface line cards instead of POTS linecards. A telecommunications unit 1010, such as that shown in FIG. 25,would include ISDN filter modules 1014, rather than POTS splittermodules 1014. In a further embodiment, telecommunications unit 1010 mayinclude both ISDN filter modules 1014 and POTS splitter modules 1014.

[0077] An embodiment of the present invention that accommodates high andlow data frequency signals is particularly well-suited for deployment inEuropean countries where ISDN service is the “Plain Old TelephoneService,” albeit a digital service. It is understood that the mechanicaland electronic features and advantages described herein with respect toPOTS telecommunications system architectures are equally applicable totelecommunications systems which provide for the transmission of highand low frequency digital data signals.

[0078] It is noted that one or more notch filters may be coupled toreceive the composite signal from the data output 1024 of the POTSsplitter circuit 1020 for purposes of detecting any billing tones thatmay be transmitted along the ASDL signal connectivity path establishedthrough the POTS splitter circuit 1020, as is often the case in Europeantelecommunication systems. Such billing tones typically have frequenciesthat range between the voice band and the data band. Impedance matchingcircuits 1023, 1027, and 1029 provide for proper impedance matching atthe signal input 1022, data output 1024, and voice output 1026 nodes,respectively, of the POTS splitter circuit 1020.

[0079] Telecommunications unit 1010 may further include a loopqualification test card 1018 or other type of test card or test cardinterface 1018. The test card 1018 may be electronically connected to aselected customer's line connection in response to control signalsreceived from a local or remote host processor. The test card 1018 mayfurther include test devices and employ test algorithms for performingvarious self-diagnostic tests in addition to performing customerline/loop testing. A suspect component or card of telecommunicationsunit 1010 may, for example, be electronically coupled to a particulartest card 1018 and/or particular test sub-system of the test card 1018.

[0080] The remote or local technician may then interrogate the suspectcomponent or card and perform a desired diagnostic test thereon, theresults of which are transmitted to the local/remote host processor inreal-time or upon completion as a batch transfer of the diagnostic data.Any needed re-configuration of the telecommunications unit 1010 orresolution of a detected problem may be implemented remotely, such as byestablishing an alternative cross-connection to bypass the defective orsuspect component/card.

[0081] Telecommunications unit 1010 further includes a number ofcommunication line connectors (e.g., Telco connectors) 1012 or portswhich provide for connectivity to/from a main distribution frame andto/from any number of DSLAM or other multiplexing devices.Cross-connection and grooming operations with respect to MDF and DSLAMsignal paths are accomplished through use of the cross-connect matricesor fields provided on cross-connect cards 1015. Connection of particularlines, such as ADSL lines which carry mixed voice/data signals, to aPOTS splitter module 1014 is also accomplished through use of one ormore of the cross-connect matrix modules 1015.

[0082] Referring now to FIG. 29, there is shown a depiction of atelecommunications unit 1040 which employs a cross-connect field 1050 toestablish signal connectivity paths between a number of differentcomponents, each of which is electrically coupled to the cross-connectfield 1050. Various MDF connections 1042, 1044, 1046 which carrycomposite voice/data signals, exclusively voice signals, and exclusivelydata signals, respectively, are shown coupled to the cross-connect field1050. A number of DSLAMs 1048 and low pass filter elements 1054 (i.e.,POTS splitter filters) are also shown coupled to the cross-connect field1050, as are one or more loop/line qualification testers 1018. A localCPU 1016 coordinates the switching of the cross-connect field 1050,typically in response to control signals received from a remote host1052, although it is understood that a host processor situated proximateor integrated as part of the telecommunications unit 1040 may beemployed to generate the control signals received by the local CPU 1016.It is understood that the relay control functions performed by the localCPU 1016 may alternatively be performed by a microcontroller.

[0083] The cross-connect field 1050 shown in FIG. 29 may be configuredin a number of different ways to achieve desired functionality and adesired balance between the number of relays and control lines needed toimplement a desired switching strategy. By way of example, onecross-connect field embodiment may include a standard switching matrixconfiguration by which relays are used to switch all conductors one toeach other. According to another embodiment, the cross-connect field1050 employs a configuration by which relays are used to connect TXlines to TX lines and RX lines to RX lines. Using this configuration, itis possible to switch every other line in the matrix and still keep thepairs of TX and RX lines next to each other, which advantageouslyresults in reduced occurrences of undesirable cross-talk.

[0084] In accordance with another embodiment, the cross-connect field1050 employs a standard configuration by which relays are used to switcheach TX line to each TX line, but can also switch TX lines to RX linesand RX lines to TX lines. According to yet another cross-connect fieldconfiguration, relays are used to switch only TX lines to TX lines andRX lines to RX lines, such that these lines are being switched togetherin this manner at all times. This configuration advantageously providesfor switching of a pair of TX and RX lines with only one relay (e.g., atwo-pole relay). This configuration provides for a reduction in thecomplexity of the control circuitry, and maintaining this line pairingconfiguration advantageously minimizes cross-talk.

[0085] Implementing a standard matrix approach typically requires across-connect at each matrix point. Using this approach, the number ofrelays will be doubled. In order to reduce the number of relays, a TXcross-connect field 1050 may be used to effect TX line switching and aseparate RX cross-connect field 1050 may be used to effect RX lineswitching. According to this approach, the number of relays may bereduced by one-half, but the amount of control circuitry will likely bedoubled. This approach, however, does not provide for pairing of the TXand RX lines, as does the approach discussed above, which provides forcross-talk reduction.

[0086] FIGS. 30-33 are schematic depictions of four cross-connect fieldembodiments of differing configuration and functionality. FIG. 30illustrates a 16×16 switching matrix comprising a total of 128 contactsor relays. More particularly, the cross-connect field 1050′ illustratedin FIG. 30 represents a 16×16 single wire TIP to TIP and RING to RINGswitching matrix. The cross-connect field 1050″ shown in FIG. 31represents a 16×16 single wire full matrix comprising 256 contacts orrelays.

[0087]FIG. 32 illustrates a cross-connect field 1050′″ which representsan 8×8 twisted pair TIP to TIP and RING to RING matrix comprising 128contacts or relays. The cross-connect field 1050″″ shown in FIG. 33represents an 8×8 twisted pair full matrix comprising 256 contacts orrelays. It will be understood that switching matrices havingconfigurations and functionality other than those described herein maybe advantageously used in a cross-connect telecommunications unit of thepresent invention to effect electronically controlled cross-connect,grooming, and POTS splitting functions from a local or remote site.

[0088] A controllable electronic cross-connect field or matrix 1050 inaccordance with the present invention may be implemented using a varietyof technologies. By way of example, the relays or contacts ofcross-connect field 1050 may be implemented as metallic contacts usingknown fabrication techniques, such as those commonly employed in thesemiconductor industry. By way of further example, the relays ofcross-connect field 1050 may be implemented on a silicon substrate usingMicro Electrical Mechanical Systems (MEMS) technology or othermicromachining or photolithographic technology.

[0089] A MEMS device is understood in the art as a device fabricatedusing advanced photolithographic and wafer processing techniques. Atypical MEMS device is a three dimensional structure constructed on asemiconductor wafer using processes and equipment similar to those usedby the semiconductor industry, but not limited to traditionalsemiconductor materials. MEMS devices are, in general, superior to theirconventional counterparts in terms of cost, reliability, size, andruggedness.

[0090]FIG. 34 illustrates a cross-connect field 1050 which ispartitioned into regions, with each region being associated with aspecified signal type, source, destination or component. By way ofexample, the cross-connect field 1050 depicted in FIG. 34 includes fourregions, including an MDF voice/data region 1062, a DSLAM region 1060, aPOTS splitter region 1064, and a voice region 1066. Other regions, suchas a line tester region (not shown), may also be provided in thecross-connect field 1050. Also shown coupled to the cross-connect fieldare sets of controls lines 1072 and signal lines 1070. Althoughpartitioning of the cross-connect field 1050 is not necessary, it may bedesirable to partition the cross-connect field 1050 for purposes ofenhancing connection management, for example. Also, certain regions ofthe cross-connect field 1050 may be fabricated to exhibitcharacteristics differing from those of other regions for purposes ofsatisfying particular signal transmission and/or switching designrequirements, for example.

[0091] Turning now to FIG. 35, various advantages of a remotecross-connect, grooming, and POTS splitting capability will be furtherdiscussed within the context of a particular xDSL system implementation,namely, an ADSL system implementation. FIG. 35 illustrates a customer'shome or business 1100 which includes a typical telephone 1101 and acomputer or PC 1102. Prior to the availability of ADSL, two separatePOTS lines would have been required to allow for concurrent use of thetelephone 1101 and the computer 1102. With the availability of ADSL,however, a single line 1106, which is qualified to support ADSLsignaling requirements and protocols, provides for concurrent use of thetelephone 1101 and the computer 1102 using a single POTS line. A POTSsplitter 1104 is provided to effect the separation of voice and datasignals at the customer's home or business 1100.

[0092] Also depicted in FIG. 35 is the central office 1110 of an ILEC.The ILEC's central office 1110 includes a voice switch 1114 coupled tothe main distribution frame (not shown) which manages voice band signalscommunicated between the customer's telephone 1101 and the MDF. A CLECprovides the requested “digital/data” service via an appropriate ADSLDSLAM 1116, which is also situated at the ILEC's central office 1110. Itis noted that the DSLAM 1116 is typically connected to a high-speeddigital network connection, such as an ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode)network connection. A POTS splitter 1112, as discussed previously,provides for the requisite separation of voice band and data bandsignals at the central office 1110. From the customer's perspective,voice and data communications are effected seamlessly at the centraloffice 1110.

[0093] However, and as can be appreciated from the system depiction ofFIG. 8, any change of service or troubleshooting that is needed tosupport a particular customer's service request requires that the CLECgain admittance to the ILEC's central office 1110 and to the CLEC'sco-location cage. Such service calls to the ILEC's central office 1110by the CLEC typically requires payment of a fee for admittance to theILEC's facility. Further, the CLEC pays a lease fee to the ILEC for thephysical space required to house the CLEC's co-locations cage. Thesefees are typically passed on to the customer.

[0094] Employing an electronic cross-connect system and methodology ofthe present invention eliminates many of the delay, cost, andinconvenience issues associated with more conventional cross-connectmanagement approaches. FIG. 36 depicts a system deployment of anelectronic cross-connect system according to the present invention whichprovides for remotely controlled switching of one or more cross-connectmatrices that effect desired cross-connect, grooming, and POTS splittingfunctions associated with a variety of xDSL (e.g., ADSL) services.According to the embodiment depicted in FIG. 36, an electroniccross-connect and grooming facility 1132 is coupled between a maindistribution frame, owned by an ILEC, and a CLEC's DSLAM units. It isunderstood that the cross-connect system may be physically locatedwithin the ILEC's central office space, a CLEC's co-location space(e.g., cage), or both.

[0095] As shown, the electronic cross-connect and grooming facility 1132is coupled to a number of MDF composite voice/data signal (e.g., ADSL)connections 1126, a number of MDF voice only signal connections 1128,and a number of DSLAM connections 1130. It is noted that the electroniccross-connect and grooming facility 1132 may also be coupled to a numberof MDF data only connections (not shown). Also shown coupled to theelectronic cross-connect and grooming facility 1132 are a number oflow-pass filters 1113 of one or more POTS splitter devices 1112 that areselectively connected to particular MDF composite voice/data connections1126 for purposes of performing POTS splitting functions thereon.

[0096] A CPU 1136 is coupled to the electronic cross-connect andgrooming facility 1132 via a control line 1117 and coordinates theswitching of the one or more cross-connect fields provided in theelectronic cross-connect and grooming facility 1132. The CPU 1136 mayutilize a network management agent, such as an SNMP (Simple NetworkManagement Protocol) agent, to communicate with a remote host processor1122 via a network connection, such as a 10BaseT or 100BaseT connection1124, for example. The host processor 1122 may comprise a networkmanagement PC running appropriate network management control software.The remote host processor 1122 cooperates with the local CPU 1136 toremotely effect desired cross-connections between the MDF, DSLAMs, andPOTS splitters 1112 (e.g., LPFs 1113).

[0097] A line tester, such as a loop qualification tester 1118, mayfurther be coupled to the CPU 1136 via a control line 1119. CPU 1136 maycontrol the operation of the tester 11118 in response to control signalsreceived from the remote host processor 1122. The line tester 1118 mayemploy a test bus 1120 to establish connectivity between the line tester1118 and a particular customer's line. In the ADSL deployment depictedin FIG. 37, for example, a break 1135 in the customer's line isestablished by the electronic cross-connect and grooming facility 1132or by the test bus apparatus 1120 to temporarily isolate the customer'sloop for purposes of conducting line testing thereon. Isolating thecustomer's line is required so that impedances associated with thelow-pass filter 1113 of the POTS splitter 1112 and other downstreamcomponents do not interfere with the proper evaluation of the customer'sconnection.

[0098] One embodiment of an electronically controlled test bus 1120 isdepicted in FIG. 38. According to this embodiment, and with continuedreference to FIG. 36, the test bus 1120 may include a matrix of switches1142 each provided with a control input, CTRL, for receiving controlsignals produced by CPU 1136 via control lines 1143. In response to acontrol signal, a selected switch 1142 activates a relay 1146, such asan A-B relay, to connect a particular MDF line 1140 or 1141 from thecross-connect matrix to the line tester 1118. The line tester 1118 thenperforms one or more tests on the isolated customer's line under thecooperative direction of CPU 1136 and the remote host processor 1122 viacontrol line 1119 and network line 1124, respectively. Upon completionof the line testing procedure, an appropriate control signal produced bythe CPU 1136 causes the selected switch 1142 to reconnect the particularMDF line 1140 or 1141 to the cross-connect matrix and to an appropriateDSLAM.

[0099] As was discussed previously connections between the line tester1118 and selected MDF/customer lines may be established directly by thecross-connect field of the electronic cross-connect and groomingfacility 1132, rather than by a separate test bus 1120. The testing andcross-connect approaches and apparatuses disclosed in commonly ownedU.S. Serial No. 09/______ filed concurrently herewith under attorneydocket No. 245.00080101; U.S. Pat. Nos. 09/219,269 and 09/219,810 filedconcurrently on Dec. 23, 1998; Ser. No. 09/327,060 filed Jun. 7, 1999;and Ser. No. 08/972,159 filed Nov. 17, 1997, all of which are herebyincorporated herein by reference in their respective entireties, may beadvantageously adapted or modified to implement electroniccross-connect, grooming, and POTS splitting functionality in accordancewith the principles of the present invention.

[0100] It is to be understood, that even though numerous characteristicsand advantages of the invention have been set forth in the foregoingdescription, together with details of the structure and function of theinvention, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be madein detail, especially in matters as such shape, size, and arrangement ofthe parts within the principles of the invention to the full extentindicated by the broad general meaning of the terms which the appendedclaims are expressed.

What is claimed is:
 1. A telecommunications equipment for use withtwisted pair cable comprising: a chassis including a grooming panelhaving a first array of connectors, and a second array of connectors,each of the connectors of the first and second arrays of connectorsincluding a plurality of pairs of conductors; the grooming panelincluding a first side and a second side, the first side of the groomingpanel defining connector locations for mounting with twisted pair cableconnectors, the second side of the grooming panel defining a groomingarea; a plurality of conductors positioned in the grooming area linkingeach conductor of selected pairs of conductors from the connectors ofthe first array of connectors to a respective conductor of selectedpairs of conductors from the connectors of the second array ofconnectors, wherein conductor pairs from a plurality of selectedconnectors in the first array are linked to respective conductor pairsof a selected connector of the second array.
 2. The equipment of claim1, further comprising a POTS splitter device connected to selectedconnectors of the first array on the first side and selected connectorsof the second array on the first side.
 3. The equipment of claim 1,further comprising a POTS splitter device internal to the chassis andconnected to a first set of selected connectors of the first array onthe second side, the POTS splitter device further connected to selectedconnectors of the second array on the second side, the POTS splitterdevice further connected to a second set of selected connectors of thefirst array on the second side.
 4. The equipment of claim 3, wherein thePOTS splitter device includes a plurality of low pass filters, andfurther comprising two backplanes, each extending in different planesparallel to one another, each backplane including a plurality of circuitpaths connecting each of the first set of selected connectors of thefirst array to one of the low pass filters of the POTS splitter device,the circuit paths further connecting one output of each of the low passfilters of the POTS splitter device to each of a respective one of theselected connectors of the second array, and a second output of each ofthe low pass filters of the POTS splitter device to each of a respectiveone of the second set of connectors of the first array.
 5. Atelecommunications equipment for use with twisted pair cable comprising:a chassis including a grooming panel with a first plurality ofconnectors, each connector of the first plurality having a plurality ofpairs of conductors, the grooming panel having a first side and a secondside, the first side of the grooming panel defining connector locationsfor mounting with twisted pair connectors, the second side of thegrooming panel defining connector locations for connecting toconductors; a cross-connect panel with a second plurality of connectors,each connector of the second plurality of connectors having a first endand a second end, the first ends exposed on a first side of thecross-connect panel, the second ends exposed on a second side of thecross-connect panel, a pair of second ends being provided for each pairof conductors of selected connectors on the grooming panel; a pluralityof conductors linking the second ends of the second plurality ofconnectors to the conductors of the pairs of conductors of the selectedconnectors of the first plurality of connectors in a one-to-onecorrespondence, wherein the first side of the cross-connect paneldefines a cross-connect field.
 6. The equipment of claim 5, furthercomprising a POTS splitter device connected to the first side of thegrooming panel.
 7. The equipment of claim 5, further comprising a POTSsplitter device connected to the second side of the grooming panel, andconnected to the second side of the cross-connect panel.
 8. Theequipment of claim 6, further comprising an MDF and a DSLAM deviceconnected to the first side of the grooming panel.
 9. The equipment ofclaim 7, further comprising an MDF and a DSLAM device connected to thefirst side of the grooming panel.